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Mookie encourages fans to hunt for FanFest tickets

Former Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson talks about a city-wide ticket hunt in New York on Saturday to win tickets to All-Star Week events

By Zachary Finkelstein
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- By now, many fans know that Mets legend Mookie Wilson will play a major role in this year's All-Star Week events. What they may not know, however, is that they have an opportunity to join the festivities for free.

Wilson stopped by MLB.com headquarters on Friday to discuss the T-Mobile All-Star FanFest Ticket Hunt, which will afford fans a chance to compete in a race of both feet and mind that could land them tickets to all of the fun.

The contest will begin at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, when the first of a series of clues will be released through the All-Star Game Twitter account (@AllStarGame) and the Mets' Twitter account (@Mets).

Each clue will lead to five locations throughout Manhattan.

"It's going to be a great opportunity," Wilson said. "It's going to be fun."

The first to arrive at each location and provide Major League Baseball representatives with the correct password -- to be released in advance through the above Twitter accounts -- will win a prize package: four tickets to one day of T-Mobile All-Star FanFest, four tickets to Taco Bell All-Star Sunday and a voucher for an authenticated David Wright autographed baseball. FanFest tickets include four fast-lane bracelets and four food vouchers.

"First things first: You have to be involved," Wilson said. "You have to be able to go to the Twitter accounts and get the clues. And then just decipher the clues and do the best you can."

The contest is open to legal residents of the U.S. 18 and older.

An interactive theme park for fans of all ages, the FanFest will transform Manhattan's Jacob K. Javits Center into a celebration that captures the thrills and excitement of Major League Baseball. Visitors will be able to enjoy exhibits from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, batting cages, free autograph sessions with former Mets and Major League legends, and memorabilia.

"I think the FanFest is probably the most fun," Wilson said. "I was fortunate enough to go to the All-Star Game when it was in Seattle and Milwaukee, and I was able to, as a fan, go to the FanFest. It's fantastic. You go and get free autographs. You get to see some of baseball history with the exhibits from the Hall of Fame. You get to see some of the legends of the game. ... I think that's the most unique part [of All-Star Week]."

On All-Star Sunday, former big leaguers will join beacons of the entertainment industry for the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. Prior to that, the sport's stars of tomorrow will showcase their skills during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, for which Wilson will serve as coach.

But will Wilson -- a member of the Mets Hall of Fame -- suit up for the celebrity softball exhibition?

"Hopefully, there will be some time for me to get in there," said the former big league stolen-base threat, who joked that he would prefer to "hit and let somebody else run."

Those who don't win through the Ticket Hunt can still be partake in all of the activities by purchasing tickets at allstargame.com or mets.com, at the Citi Field Box Office or by calling 888-326-3378.

All-Star Week will run from July 12-16, culminating in the 84th playing of the Midsummer Classic at Citi Field.

"David Wright ... is nothing but class," Wilson said. "Great kid. I have known him for many, many years. He's been the same from his first day in the Minor Leagues up until this day. I think his numbers speak for themselves. ... The All-Star Game in New York would not be complete without him being there."

As for Harvey, Wilson believes his 2013 season has been "nothing short of amazing."

"We knew what we had when we drafted him [with the seventh overall pick of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft]," he said. "He's a workhorse, he's a strong kid. Very intelligent. ... Right now, you could use the word overpowering; he's really dominating the hitters, which is kind of rare for a guy in his first [full] year. But he's a guy I think can sustain what he's doing right now for a full season."

Wright wasted no time in Friday's matinee against the Cubs, homering off Edwin Jackson for his sixth of the season. Harvey took the hill with a perfect 4-0 record. He faltered in the bottom of the first, allowing two runs.

Though All-Star Week will surely be busy for Wilson, the beloved ballplayer nonetheless relishes his role as an ambassador for the sport that has played such a pivotal role in his life.

"I am going to be very active," he said. "I am going to be down to the FanFest at the Javits Center. ... I will probably [also] be around the ballpark, escorting people, [giving] tours, that type of stuff. So it's going to be a lot of fun."

And if his popularity among fans serves as any indication, many will be equally as excited to see him.

Zachary Finkelstein is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.